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Rangers top Angels on walk-off HR for 2nd straight game

Leonys Martin hit a three-run homer in the 10th inning and the Texas Rangers, after trailing four times, pulled out a 14-11 victory over the Los Angeles Angels that took nearly five hours Tuesday night.

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Rangers leadoff hitter Leonys Martin was just trying to hit a ball over the five players positioned in the infield.

Martin instead knocked it over the wall for a game-ending three-run homer in the 10th inning as Texas, after trailing four times, pulled out a 14-11 victory over the Los Angeles Angels that took nearly five hours Tuesday night.

"This the biggest moment in my whole career so far," said Martin, the former Cuban defector who signed with Texas two years ago. "Last night, I had a dream like that."

His dreamy thoughts came after the Rangers had opened the series against the Angels with another game-ending homer.

Daniel Stange (0-1), making his Angels debut and his first major league appearance since 2010, walked Mitch Moreland and Geovany Soto to start the 10th. David Murphy then reached on a fielder's choice before Los Angeles put five players in the infield with only two outfielders.

That alignment didn't matter when Martin sent his sixth homer of the season to the opposite field, barely clearing the 14-foot wall and just inside the left-field foul pole. It was the seventh at-bat in the game for the Texas leadoff hitter, who got more than just a ball to the outfield that would have won the game on the 434th pitch thrown by a combined 14 pitchers.

"He's shown that he can do that. He's hit some doubles down that left field line," manager Ron Washington said. "But the most important thing is he got a pitch up in the zone and he stayed on it."

Closer Joe Nathan (2-1), the sixth Rangers pitcher, worked around a leadoff walk in the 10th for a scoreless inning.

It was the second night in a row the Rangers had a game-ending homer — the first time they've done that since 1981.

Sept. 19: Indians right fielder Matt Carson (center) is swarmed on the infield after hitting a game-winning single in the eleventh inning against the Astros at Progressive Field.
David Richard, USA TODAY Sports

Sept. 19: Members of the Rockies celebrate with center fielder Corey Dickerson after he hit a walk off triple to win the game during the 15th inning against the Cardinals at Coors Field. The Rockies won 7-6 in 15 innings.
Chris Humphreys, USA TODAY Sports

Sep. 12: The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate with first baseman Adrian Gonzalez (center) after he hit a walk-off single against the San Francisco Giants in tenth inning at Dodger Stadium.
Richard Mackson, USA TODAY Sports

Sept. 10: Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Scott Van Slyke is greeted at home plate after he hits a two-run walk-off home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium.
Gary A. Vasquez, USA TODAY Sports

Sept. 8: Giants' Angel Pagan, second from left, celebrates with teammates, from left, Brandon Crawford, Hector Sanchez, Ehire Adrianza and Joaquin Arias after hitting a walk-off single against the Diamondbacks' in the 11th inning.
George Nikitin, AP

Sept. 4: Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Didi Gregorius drops dirt on the head of infielder Willie Bloomquist as they celebrate his walk off single against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia Phillies infielder Michael Young, left, is cheered by teammate Carlos Ruiz after making the game-winning run on a hit by Domonic Brown during the ninth inning of a baseball game to defeat the Colorado Rockies 5-4, Thursday, Aug. 22, 2013, in Philadelphia.
Laurence Kesterson, AP

Aug. 17: Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera connects on a walk-off solo homer in the bottom of the ninth against the Royals in Detroit. Cabrera's blast, his 39th on the year, gave the Tigers a 6-5 win.
Gregory Shamus, Getty Images

Aug. 13: Diamondbacks' Paul Goldschmidt is dowsed with water by teammate Martin Prado as he runs toward home plate following his game-winning walk-off home run against the Orioles in the 11th inning.
Ralph Freso, Getty Images

Aug. 11: Yankees center fielder Brett Gardner is mobbed at home plate by teammates after hitting a walk off home run against the Tigers at Yankee Stadium.
William Perlman, The (Newark) Star-Ledger via USA TODAY Sports

Aug. 9: Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after first baseman Adrian Gonzalez crossed the plate in the ninth inning of the game for the winning run against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports

July 30: Alex Presley of the Pittsburgh Pirates is congratulated by Garrett Jones, above, and Neil Walker after a game-winning single in the eleventh inning against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Justin K. Aller, Getty Images

July 29: The San Diego Padres' Chris Denorfia is dumped with Powerade during an interview with reporter Kelly Crull following a walk-off home run against the Cincinnati Reds.
Christopher Hanewinckel, USA TODAY Sports

July 28: Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig is greeted at home plate after he hits a walk-off solo home run in the eleventh inning against the Cincinnati Reds.
Gary A. Vasquez, USA TODAY Sports

July 28: Yankees left fielder Alfonso Soriano (center) is congratulated by teammates after hitting a game-winning single against the Tampa Bay Rays in the ninth inning on July 28.
Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports

July 21: Boston Red Sox wait at home plate to congratulate first baseman Mike Napoli for his walk off home run against the New York Yankees during the eleventh inning at Fenway Park.
Mark L. Baer, USA TODAY Sports

Chicago White Sox first baseman Adam Dunn (32) celebrates with teammates after hitting a walk off home run to win the game during the ninth inning against the Baltimore Orioles on July 4.
Benny Sieu, USA Today Sports

Reds center fielder Shin-Soo Choo (center) is congratulated by left fielder Chris Heisey (28) and second baseman Brandon Phillips (4) after hitting a game-winning single during the eleventh inning against the San Francisco Giants on July 3.
Frank Victores, USA TODAY Sports

Members of the Boston Red Sox wait at home plate for pinch hitter Jonny Gomes (5) after hitting a walk off home run during the ninth inning against the San Diego Padres on July 3.
Bob DeChiara, USA TODAY Sports

Pirates' Russell Martin, center, is greeted by teammates Jeanmar Gomez, left, and Josh Harrison after Martin drove in Gaby Sanchez with a pinch-hit in the 14th against the Brewers on June 30.
Keith Srakocic AP

June 26: Alex Gordon, center, gave the Royals a 4-3 win over the Braves in 10 innings with a game-winning RBI single. Gordon started the game with a leadoff home run in the first.
Jamie Squire, Getty Images

June 25: Yankees outfielder Ichiro Suzuki celebrates his game-winning home run with teammates in the bottom of the ninth inning against the Texas Rangers at Yankee Stadium.
John Munson, The (Newark) Star-Ledger via USA TODAY Sports

Jun 23: Seattle Mariners designated hitter Kendrys Morales (8) is mobbed by his teammates after hitting the game-winning three-run home run against the Oakland Athletics during the 10th inning at Safeco Field.
Steven Bisig, USA TODAY Sports

June 22: The Philadelphia Phillies' Freddy Galvis gives Kevin Frandsen a kick in the behind as he crosses home plate after a walk-off home run against the New York Mets.
Eric Hartline, USA TODAY Sports

June 22: San Francisco Giants catcher Hector Sanchez celebrates with teammates after hitting a game-winning RBI single against the Miami Marlins in the 11th inning at AT,T Park.
Cary Edmondson, USA TODAY Sports

June 19: Brandon Phillips gives the Reds a 2-1 win over the Pirates with an RBI single in the 13th inning. In the ninth, the Reds sent the game to extra innings with a run off Pirates closer Jason Grilli, who blows his first save of the season.
Frank Victores, USA TODAY Sports

June 18: Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt is swarmed by teammates in celebration after hitting a walk off home run to beat the Miami Marlins 3-2 at Chase Field.
Matt Kartozian, USA TODAY Sports

June 18: Boston Red Sox's Jonny Gomes celebrates at home plate after hitting the game-winning two-run home run in the ninth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 2 of a doubleheader.
Jared Wickerham, Getty Images

June 17: Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman celebrates a walk-off two-run home run with teammates in the ninth inning against the New York Mets at Turner Field.
Daniel Shirey, USA TODAY Sports

June 13: Athletics' Nate Freiman, second from right, is mobbed by his teammates after hitting the game-winning RBI single off Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera in the 18th inning. Oakland won 3-2.
Eric Risberg, AP

June 8: Rajai Davis of the Toronto Blue Jays is mobbed by teammates after driving in the winning run in the 18th inning against the Texas Rangers at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Tom Szczerbowski, Getty Images

May 27: Brandon Barnes of the Houston Astros, right, is mobbed by his teammates after his RBI double in the 12th inning to defeat the Colorado Rockies at Minute Maid Park in Houston.
Scott Halleran, Getty Images

Before this series, the Rangers were swept in three games at Cleveland and had been shut out in three of four games. Washington held a 40-minute closed-door meeting after the finale against the Indians, and said afterward that his team seemed like it was sleepwalking.

Now, they're walking on air.

"It wasn't a meeting where I went up there and chewed butt. It was a meeting where I had to get them to understand what our purpose is, and what their purpose is, and what they're capable of doing. And how to go about doing it. And everybody had a part in it," Washington said. "They committed themselves to each other to try to finish as strong as we possibly can. We have two games that were very exciting."

Texas has consecutive victories for the first time in three weeks after scoring in each of the last four innings. The Rangers also gained ground on AL West-leading Oakland for the first time since June 27 — a span of 33 days. The Athletics lost 5-0 at home against Toronto, a West Coast game that ended before this one did after 4 hours, 46 minutes and just before midnight.

Texas, which won the series opener Monday when A.J. Pierzynski and Geovany Soto homered in the ninth off Angels closer Ernesto Frieri, forced extra innings Tuesday after Ian Kinsler drew a two-out walk in the ninth against Frieri. Kinsler then stole second base and scored on Adrian Beltre's single to make it 11-all.

Frieri had converted 25 of 27 saves before his consecutive blown chances in Texas.

"This is the most frustrating moment of my career. I never went through this. I don't know what to do," he said. "We're very frustrated."

Mark Trumbo and Collin Cowgill homered for the Angels, who lost their fifth straight game. Josh Hamilton, the 2010 AL MVP who spent the past five seasons in Texas, drove in four runs, while Mike Trout was 4 for 4 and with two walks after going 2 for 2 with two walks Monday night.

"We couldn't do much more on the offensive side," manager Mike Scioscia said.

The only Angels starter without a hit was third baseman Alberto Callaspo. He was replaced in the field in the fifth after being traded to AL West-leading Oakland for infielder Grant Green.

The Angels had their biggest lead, 11-7, after a four-run eighth when Erick Aybar's grounder easily scored pinch-runner Kole Calhoun for an 8-7 lead.

J.B. Shuck stopped in the middle of the baseline to avoid being tagged by second baseman Ian Kinsler, and then got out of a rundown when the fifth relay throw wasn't caught by pitcher Tanner Scheppers, an error that allowed him to get back to first. Howie Kendrick then added a two-run single, his 1,000th career hit, before Hamilton's RBI single.

Soto got the Rangers within 11-10 with his three-run homer in the eighth, that ball landing not far from where he hit his game-ending homer Monday night.

Every Texas starter had a hit off C.J. Wilson, who allowed six runs and a season-high 11 hits while throwing 109 pitches in four innings against his former team. Los Angeles trailed 6-3 after the left-hander threw his last pitch. He struck out six and walked three.

Notes: Texas starter Derek Holland allowed four runs and eight hits over six innings. He struck out six and walked two. ... Wilson has an 11.74 ERA (20 runs over 15 1-3 innings) in four starts as an opposing pitcher at Rangers Ballpark. He was 27-14 with 25 saves and a 3.89 ERA in 172 games (38 starts) there before getting a $77.5 million, five-year deal from his hometown Angels after the 2011 season. ... Angels manager Mike Scioscia was ejected in the second inning when he argued after when slow-footed Soto was called safe on a close play at first base. Crew chief Jerry Layne, who was at first base, heard only a few words from an irate Scioscia before tossing the manager. Layne then stood there stone-faced, appearing not to respond verbally, as Scioscia voiced his displeasure for a couple of more minutes before leaving the field.

Sept. 13: Texas Rangers right fielder Alex Rios is held by third base coach Gary Pettis as he argues with third base umpire Andy Fletcher after being called out. Fletcher ejected Rios.
Tim Heitman, USA TODAY Sports

Sept. 13: Texas Rangers starting pitcher Matt Garza argues with the home plate umpire after being thrown out of the game against the Oakland Athletics at Rangers Ballpark.
Tim Heitman, USA TODAY Sports

Aug. 17: Tigers manager Jim Leyland, left, was ejected when a call went against Detroit. Leyland directed his tirade at first base umpire Bob Davidson, right, and had to be restrained by second base umpire John Hirschbeck, center.
Duane Burleson, AP

Aug. 10: Pirates manager Clint Hurdle is ejected from the game by second base umpire Adrian Johnson after arguing a call when Johnson called Alex Presley out in a double play by Troy Tulowitzki in the seventh inning.
Doug Pensinger, Getty Images

Red Sox DH David Ortiz, right, had to be restrained by manager John Farrell, center, and bench coach Torey Lovullo after being ejected on July 27 in Baltimore. Ortiz also took out his frustration on a dugout phone, shattering it to pieces with a bat.
Joy R. Absalon, USA TODAY Sports

Chicago Cubs manager Dale Sveum argues with home plate umpire Dana DeMuth after being thrown out of the third inning of the the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on July 23.
Christian Petersen, Getty Images

Manny Machado of the Baltimore Orioles exchanges words after a strikeout call by home plate umpire Will Little in the fifth inning. Little then ejected Machado from the game.
Jonathan Ernst, Getty Images

Home plate umpire Andy Fletcher throws Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona out of the game in the eighth inning during the game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on June 8 in Detroit.
Leon Halip, Getty Images

Mets manager Terry Collins (left) is ejected from the game by second base umpire Adrian Johnson (right) after the sixth inning of a game against the Yankees at Citi Field.
Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports

Manager Mike Scioscia of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim argues with plate umpire Marty Foster (Center) and Tim Welke after a third strike on Jeff Francoeur of the Kansas City Royals was overturned to a foul ball in the ninth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Sciosia was ejected from the game.
Ed Zurga, Getty Images

Manager Bruce Bochy of the San Francisco Giants argues with umpire Alfonso Marquez after Marco Scutaro was called out in the eighth inning at AT,T Park in San Francisco, Calif. Bochy was ejected.
Ezra Shaw, Getty Images

Chris Getz of the Kansas City Royals and manager Ned Yost of the Kansas City Royals argue with second base umpire Marty Foster after Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim was called safe on a steal in Kansas City, Mo. Getz was ejected.
Ed Zurga, Getty Images

Home plate umpire John Tumpane ejects Kurt Suzuki of the Washington Nationals after Suzuki struck out looking in the ninth inning of the Nationals 2-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs at Nationals Park in Washington, DC.
Rob Carr, Getty Images

Umpire Tim Timmons tells Pirates starting pitcher Jonathan Sanchez he has been ejected after hitting St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Allen Craig with a pitch during the game at Busch Stadium.
Scott Rovak, USA TODAY Sports

Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons reacts as home plate umpire Mike DiMuro ejects him during an argument over a strikeout call against Toronto's Brett Lawrie in the ninth inning against the Baltimore Orioles in Baltimore.
Patrick Semansky, AP